Protesting A Place For Prayer

National Day Of Prayer Observance Meets Silent Dissent Outside The Broward Sheriff's Headquarters

May 8, 2009|By Rafael Olmeda Staff Writer

The faithful were more than 200 strong, seated under a tent outside the front entrance of the building that serves as headquarters of the Broward Sheriff's Office.

There were the deputies and firefighters, joined by parishioners of local churches. There were clergymen representing a variety of religious traditions - imams, priests, pastors and rabbis. There was the chaplain and the sheriff.

And there were the faith-free, far fewer in number, maybe a half dozen standing just a few yards outside the protective covering of the tent, silently and defiantly protesting the hosting of a National Day of Prayer observance on public property during business hours.

Leading the dissenters was Ken Loukinen of Pembroke Pines, an off-duty employee of Broward Sheriff's Fire Rescue. Loukinen is president of Florida Atheists and Secular Humanists, or FLASH, a group that opposes the use of public funds to promote expressions of religious devotion.

"Having elected officials use public funds and public property to promote religion is a direct violation of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution" and the Florida Constitution, he said.

The National Day of Prayer dates back to 1952, and it's protected in part because it does not promote a specific denomination, Sheriff Al Lamberti said.

"This is a federal decree of the president of the United States," he said. "It's no different to me than a federal holiday."

Loukinen and his crew saw things differently and said they hoped the religious devotees would pay some heed to signs.